Walking Taco Casserole

 If you like walking tacos, you are going to love this.  Easy and quick to make.

WALKING TACO CASSEROLE

(serves 6)

Ingredients:

*1 1/2 pounds ground beef

*1 green bell pepper, chopped

*1 red bell pepper, chopped

*1 yellow onion, chopped

*3-4 garlic cloves, minced

*1 teaspoon cumin

*1/2 teaspoon chili powder

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper

*1 teaspoon ground oregano 

*1 (ounce) taco seasoning packet

*1/2 cup water or beef stock

*1 (ounce) bag of frito's corn chips

*3 tablespoons butter

*1 cup heavy cream

*2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

*cilantro, chopped (optional)

Toppings (all are optional)

*shredded lettuce

*diced tomatoes

*sour cream

*green onion tops, chopped

*fresh cilantro

*jalapeño pepper, sliced

*cheddar cheese, shredded

*salsa

Directions:

~In a large skillet, add ground beef, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, onions, garlic, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt & pepper.

~Cook over medium-high heat until ground beef is no longer pink.

~Drain any excess grease.

~Add taco seasoning and water to beef mixture.

~Cook over medium-low heat for another 5-10 minutes.

~Remove from heat.

~In a medium saucepan, heat out butter and heavy cream.

~Add 2 1/2 cups shredded cheese, and stir until melted.

~Remove from heat and set aside.

~Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

~Layer half of the corn chips along the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

~Add ground beef mixture evenly over corn chips.

~Drizzle cheese mixture over ground beef.

~Add some cilantro over top (optional).

~Sprinkle remaining corn chips.

~Cover with aluminum and bake for 15-20 minutes.

~Bake uncovered for 10 minutes. 

~Serve with desired toppings.

Peanut Butter Bread

 Yummy.  I prefer this bread when it's warm, but it's good cool too.   I like to add chocolate chips to eat, because who doesn't love chocolate and peanut butter?  Jam is really good on this bread.

PEANUT BUTTER BREAD

(makes 1 loaf)

Ingredients:

*4 teaspoons baking powder

*1 teaspoon salt

*1/3 cup granulated sugar

*2 cups all purpose flour

*1/2 - 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

*1 1/2 cups whole milk

*1/2 cup creamy peanut butter.

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

~Grease a 8x4x3 inch loaf pan.

~In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips together.

~Whisk in milk and peanut butter until mixed well.

~Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

~Remove from loaf pan and enjoy.

Chili Stew

 This is much thicker than my other chili recipe.  It's a great hearty meal.   Like mosts soups, this even tastes better the next day.

CHILI STEW

(serves 8-10)

Ingredients:

*2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed

*1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

*1-2 tablespoons chili powder

*2 tablespoon onion powder

*1 tablespoon garlic powder

*1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

*1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper

*2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I like to use bacon grease)

*2 teaspoons salt

*2 teaspoons ground black pepper

*1/4 cup all-purpose flour

*2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I prefer to use bacon grease)

*3 pound chuck roast or sirloin tip roast, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces

*1 large green pepper, chopped

*1 large onion, chopped

*2-3 garlic cloves, minced

*4 cups stewed tomatoes (I can my own)

*2 (8 ounce cans) tomato sauce

*2 tablespoons tomato paste

*2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

*1 (15 ounce) can chili beans

*1 (15 ounce) can black beans or kidney beans, rinsed and drained

*1 (ounce) bottle of beer

*1 cup beef stock (more if needed as it simmers)

Stove Top Directions:

~In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, allspice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.

~Sprinkle cut up roast beef with flour, 2 teaspoons salt,. 2 teaspoons black pepper and 1 tablespoon of seasoning  mixture.

~Using a spoon or clean fingers rub flour mixture all over roast.  Making sure they are completely coated.

~In a large pot heat oil over medium heat.

~Once oil is hot, add seasoned roast beef.

~Sear roast beef on all sides.

~Add green peppers and onions, cook until peppers are soften, stirring often.

~Add garlic and cook for one minute, stirring continuously.

~Add in remaining seasoning mix and stir, cooking another minute.

~Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring often.

~Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 60 minutes, stirring once in a while.

~Remove lid, and simmer another 60 minutes, stirring once in a while.

~Repeat last two steps once more.

~Serve with your favorite toppings.

Slow Cooker Directions:

~Follow stove top directions for the 9 steps.

~Add beef mixture to slow cooker.

~Add remaining ingredients to slow cooker.

~Cover and cook on high for 6-7 hours or low for 10-12 hours.

~Serve with your favorite toppings.

Instant Pot Directions (won't be as thick):

~Turn instant on to saute mode.

~In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, allspice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.

~Sprinkle cut up roast beef with flour, 2 teaspoons salt,. 2 teaspoons black pepper and 1 tablespoon of seasoning  mixture.

~Using a spoon or clean fingers rub flour mixture all over roast.  Making sure they are completely coated.

~Add oil to instant pot liner.

~Add seasoned roast beef.

~Sear roast beef on all sides.

~Add green peppers and onions, cook until peppers are soften, stirring often.

~Add garlic and cook for one minute, stirring continuously.

~Add in remaining seasoning mix and stir, cooking another minute.

~Add remaining ingredients and stir, making sure you deglazed the bottom of the pan.

~Add lid and put on pressure cook mode, making sure valve is sealed. 

~Pressure cook for 60 minutes.

~Do a quick release.

~Serve with your favorite toppings.

Philly Steak & Cheese Soup

Steak and cheese, what more could you ask for?   

• PHILLY STEAK & CHEESE SOUP
• (serves 8)

Soup Ingredients:

*2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil

*1 1/2 pound steak, cut into small pieces or shaved

*1 tablespoon sea salt or kosher salt

*1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper

*1 medium yellow onion, chopped

*2 garlic cloves, minced

*2 (32 ounce) containers beef broth

*2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced

*2 medium green peppers, diced

*6 ounces Velvetta cheese, cut into cubes

*1 cup sharp shredded cheese, cut into small pieces

*Provolone cheese, shredded (optional)

Crouton Ingredients:

*6 hamburger buns, or 3 sub buns, cut into large bite size pieces

*1/4 cup butter, melted

*1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Crouton Directions:

~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

~In a large bowl, mix melted butter and garlic salt together.

~Gently toss buns into butter mixture to coat all sides.

~Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

~Bake for 11-14 minutes or until bread is toasted.

~Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.  

Philly Steak & Cheese Directions:

~Season steak with salt and pepper.

~Heat up large stock pan or dutch oven over medium heat.

~Add oil to hot pan.

~Add steak and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning so that all sides of the steak get seared.

~Add the onions and cook for another 4 minutes.

~Add minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes. 

~Add beef stock and bring mixture to a boil.

~Reduce heat to a low, and cook uncovered for 1 hour.

~Add in mushrooms and green peppers and cook for another 15-20 minutes or until peppers are tender.

~Stir in Velveeta cheese and cheddar cheese until smooth.

~Serve, and top with provolone cheese and croutons.